15 Places That Don't Mean What You Think: Explained
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.

Iraq is a country in West Asia that lies within the historic region of Mesopotamia, often called the cradle of civilization. Its capital city is Baghdad, a historic city on the banks of the Tigris River. Iraq is home to ancient sites such as Babylon and Ur, where archaeologists have uncovered remarkable evidence of early writing, law, and urban life. The country is a federal parliamentary republic whose population includes Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and other ethnic groups, along with a diverse mix of religious communities. Iraq holds major oil reserves and has become an important regional player in energy and diplomacy. Its landscapes range from the fertile marshes of the south to the mountains of the north, offering visitors a deep connection to the ancient world.
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From Arabic 'al-'Irāq', possibly meaning 'the shore'. The demonym is 'Iraqi'.
Other places in the region and their demonyms
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
From Montenegro to Naples, these 20 place names that were literally translated show how languages rebuild geography — and what the originals mean.
Want to explore where Iraqis live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
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Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region